The Easiest Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

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From extreme weather events to dramatic changes in average temperatures, the effects of climate change are already felt throughout the world—the subsequent problems our environment faces seem daunting. While it will require massive structural changes to stop climate change, there are steps individuals can take to help. We can all reduce our carbon footprint—the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that you emit—through the production, use, and disposal of your items and common practices. Here we've compiled tips and tricks to reduce your carbon footprint and do your part to help our environment.

Calculate your carbon footprint.
The best way to know where to cut back is to figure out the breakdown of your emissions. The Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project determined that, in order to curb global temperature rise, everyone on Earth needs to average an annual carbon footprint of 1.87 tons by 2050. However, the average American carbon footprint per capita is 18.3 tons, so we have a long way to go. Figure out your carbon footprint and then look at where you could cut back emissions. Most individuals' carbon footprints will come mostly from transportation, housing and food.